Pawar Vs Pawar: Sharad expels Ajit faction’s rebel MPs & MLAs; replies to nephew’s age barb

New Delhi: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supreme on Thursday expelled his nephew Ajit Pawar, rebel lawmakers Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare and 9 other legislators, who defected from the party to join ranks with Sena-BJP government in Maharashtra.

The moves comes a day after show of strength by the respective factions of NCP in Mumbai.

Brushing aside questions of who is the NCP boss, Sharad Pawar told mediapersons that he was the president of NCP and anyone else claiming it, was faking it.

Addressing the press conference in New Delhi, Sharad Pawar said, “I am the president of NCP, if someone says (that he is the president) then it is completely false, there’s no truth in it.”

Pawar had called national executive meeting of the party at his Delhi residence today. He also thanked the party leaders & office-bearers to come for the crucial meet, on a short notice.

Pawar senior’s retort to nephew’s age remark

Breaking his silence over nephew’s age jibe and suggestions of going slow and taking retirement from active politics, the party supremo retorted,

“I am still effective, whether I am 82 or 92.”

Ajit Pawar, in his public outburst against the party supremo, apparently for the first time, made direct accusations.

Ajit said that he was publicly humiliated couple of times because of former’s googly but he kept mum but time was running out now.

“It was time that he gives us blessings to take the party forward. You are 83, still you want to keep the reins in your command,” Ajit said in a shocking outburst.

“For us, Saheb (Sharad Pawar) is a deity and we have deep respect for him. IAS officers retire at 60. Even in politics, BJP leaders retire at 75. You can see the example of L K Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi.”

For the unversed, the NCP was founded by Sharad Pawar in 1999. The party witnessed a vertical split on July 2 as nephew Ajit Pawar mutinied against him, claiming support of 40 party MLAs. He along with 9 MLAs was sworn-in as ministers in Shinde-led Maharashtra cabinet in surprise cabinet expansion.